Meredith Monk - COTW

[Serial_Apologist]

I'm hearing her music for the first time, and finding myself surprisingly attracted to, and moved by some of her music - unusual for a composer clearly in the post-Minimalist tradition of Glass & co in my case - while finding other pieces banal and too much resembling other performer-composers who have done much more with such materials: eg Keith and Julie Tippett, or Robert Wyatt. I can understand the description described just now as a folk music of all peoples, it being very much a blend of different ethnic traditions, including modal jazz, scat singing and Mediaeval faux bourdon. It speaks to me of simplified living structures more in touch with our natural predispositions but informed by modern understanding and judicious deployment of technologies in keeping with ecological sustainability, and a deep desire to be in tune with those Circadian rhythms rather than obsessing to keep ahead of some mythical game all the time, the destructive value systems of capitalism alienating to ourselves and our relations with each other and the creation of a living, liveable world in general.

[MrGongGong]

I'm hearing her music for the first time, and finding myself surprisingly attracted to, and moved by some of her music - unusual for a composer clearly in the post-Minimalist tradition of Glass & co in my case - while finding other pieces banal and too much resembling other performer-composers who have done much more with such materials: eg Keith and Julie Tippett, or Robert Wyatt. I can understand the description described just now as a folk music of all peoples, it being very much a blend of different ethnic traditions, including modal jazz, scat singing and Mediaeval faux bourdon. It speaks to me of simplified living structures more in touch with our natural predispositions but informed by modern understanding and judicious deployment of technologies in keeping with ecological sustainability, and a deep desire to be in tune with those Circadian rhythms rather than obsessing to keep ahead of some mythical game all the time, the destructive value systems of capitalism alienating to ourselves and our relations with each other and the creation of a living, liveable world in general.

Meredith Monk is long overdue for COTW
A really influential composer/performer IMV

Dolmen Music and Facing North are a couple of things worth the effort.
I'm not sure I agree that those fine folks have "done much more" as "doing much more" would be a bit counter to the nature of the material?
I'll ask Robert next time I go to Louth what he thinks as he always seems to be about when i'm there

[Richard Barrett]

Dolmen Music

A very beautiful piece I think. Although I would agree with S_A that not all her work is on that level.

[MrGongGong]

A very beautiful piece I think. Although I would agree with S_A that not all her work is on that level.

I would agree with you on that
It always makes me think of Totnes in the 1980's

[teamsaint]

Listened to the first programme on the way home last night.

I found myself wanting to like it, enjoying parts of everything, and also struggling with some of it. As so often, I found myself wanting to hear the music, particularly Dolmen Music, performed live as it was intended, which is obviously a far better way to hear and understand.
She had some interesting things to say, for sure.

I did wonder if part of my problem might be that some of the vocal techniques employed have been used by others subsequently, in ways that have perhaps done them a disservice.

[Padraig]

[QUOTE=teamsaint;585778]
I found myself wanting to like it...[/QUOTE

Me too ts. And I did very much. I'm surprised I had to wait until now just to have heard of Meredith Monk. I'm really too old for this but I have spent the evening on youtube finding out more about her art and listening to some of her performances, solo and with others. What a group of musicians she performs with. I liked her notion of 'finding' her ideas , her patience, and knowing when to 'keep' the right moment.

[ardcarp]

I too very much enjoyed this week's programmes. The vocal techniques and her amazing voice were the main attraction for me. I have a difficult relationship with much that minimalism has to offer...but here it all seemed 'right'. Hard to put into words, so I'll stop...apart from saying I'd like to see her performing live one day.

[Padraig]

. Hard to put into words, so I'll stop....

I know what you mean ardcarp; yet MM dispenses with her words leaving us find her meaning.

[NatBalance]

This is a new composer for me and I very much enjoyed what I heard. The things she did with her voice, wonderfull stuff, it's certainly left me wanting to hear more.

Rich

[Padraig]

I have two CDs ready for ordering from Amazon. One is Dolmen Music for about £12 or so. Or, for £563 or so. That's £563 or so.
There is probably an obvious answer, but I have to ask how come?

[teamsaint]

I have two CDs ready for ordering from Amazon. One is Dolmen Music for about £12 or so. Or, for £563 or so. That's £563 or so.
There is probably an obvious answer, but I have to ask how come?

exchange rate.

[Padraig]

Thanks ts. Was it that obvious?
There are just two words of your answer I don't understand.

[Padraig]

exchange rate.

Thanks ts.

There are just two words of your reply I don't understand.


Sorry double posting for reasons I don't understand.

[teamsaint]

Oh all right, probably not .

amazon market pricing is a crazy thing.
there is much in fact that nobody understands, and, I mean nobody, about the world of Amazon supply and price.

[MrGongGong]

Oh all right, probably not .

amazon market pricing is a crazy thing.
there is much in fact that nobody understands, and, I mean nobody, about the world of Amazon supply and price.

It's all made up